US2520951A

US2520951A - Flushing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2520951A
Application number: US635125A
Authority: US
Inventors: William G Merritt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-12-14
Filing date: 1945-12-14
Publication date: 1950-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1967-09-05

Description

INVENTOR ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LIL l n m M f x H 6. M M L M W Fig. 4

W G MERRITT FLUSHING APPARATUS 0 5 4 9 l 1. O. c 5 m .L d P h i & F

Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE (Granted under theact of"Marchj3;. 1883,..35 amended April30, 1928;370-0. G. 757) 7 Claims;

This invention relates to flushing apparatus and mor particularly to apparatus for flushing radiators, oil coolers, or other circulation systems or the like with cleansing fluids.

Objects of the invention are to provide improved fiushing apparatus for directing flow of cleansing fluids through circulation systems or the like, by use of which the direction of flow through the systems may be periodically automatically reversed; to provide .flushingapparatus of the character referred to in which the period of reversals may be varied as desired; to provide improved mechanisms for reversing the direction of flow of fluids; and to provide for carrying out the foregoing objects in a facile, economical, and efiicient manner.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preierred'forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings; wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a flushing apparatus embodying the featuresof the present invention.

Fig. *2 is a verticalsectional view of the apparatus taken substantially on the line 2 --2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal-sectionalview of a portion of the apparatus taken substantially On the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the apparatus.

Referring more in details to the drawings:

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus comprises a'first mani'-. fold l and a second' manifoldi,.Seouredtogether and operatively connected by apair of'conduits 3 and i, the manifolds andrconduits preferably being formed of cylindrical metallic pipe section's secured together, as'by-welding. The conduits 3'- and 4 are preferably joined to ithesecond manifold 2 adjacent the ends of'the latter. The first manifold preferably has astrainer or filter 5-removably secured to-its lower or dischargexend as by a collar 6.

An inlet connection I issecured to-the manifold 2' midway of the lengthof the latter and normally the apparatus is supported from a pipesecured to said inlet connection, although it is; obvious that other support means could beprovided. A pair of discharge connections or distribution ports 8 and 9 (Fig. 1) are secured to the-manifold 2 at each side of said .inlet connection and are substantially equally, spaced lon itudinally therefrom.

When water is, employed as the cleansing fluid; the inlet connection 'I' is secured to any convenient water carrying, line or pipe, not shown, which furnishes asupplyof water underpressure; as well as serving to support the apparatus. When the, cleansing, fluid employed isother'than water, as for example, some suitable solvent,lthe inlet connection may be. connected to a tank or' other supply .oifiuid, with a suitable pump, being. providedlforforcing the fluid through the, apparatus. The distribution ports .8 and 9 areadaptedvto conununicatelwithinlet and outlet openingspi a circulation-system or, the..lik e, not.shown,.to function alternately to carry fluid tothe system and to return fluid to themaniiold, in a manner hereinafterexplained. 1

.Effluentiiom the apparatus passes therefrom through the strainer orfilter 5. .When the cleansingfiuid is water,..the .efiluent, is ordinarily. dis.

carded after it leaves the apparatus. Whemflui'dother thanwater, isemployedthe effluent isnormally. returned. to. .the tank .or: other sourcenafter havingrbeen cleaned .as..=much. as practicable,..to thus complete a fluid circuit.

Asshown in- Fig. 2,. apair of longitudinally spacedpi tons, l0 and. H are slidably mountedin the, manifold 2 .for ,reciprocable movement tween lowered and. raised positions, the.- lowered position being illustrated in Fig.2; The pistons are securedvto a-common piston rod l2 andsthe longitudinal distance. between the .pistonsisprefF erably. approximatelyqequal to the distance The.- tweenthe centers oftthevdistribution ports8 and 9. ,"I'T-he: piston. rod 12- extends outwardly from the manifold from an end thereof through a stuf fing box 13, which may be of any suitable known construction, as, for example, that illustrated. Preferably. stop means, are employedtolimit sliding movement of thepistons. The stop means may. convenientlycomprise an extensio 14- beneath thelower. piston. In engageablewitnthe bottom awalLoi the manifold 2 to limit downward movement'oi the pistons and a sleeve. |15=iixed to thepiston rod above the upper pisto .l l engageable. with. the -stuffingbox to. 1 limit upward movement. .It is apparentthatother stop means could-be employed. and would be .full equivalents;

for example, alsystem of collars as-employedyin and. I8, (which. preferably. are connected to :the

manifold longitudinally adjacent thev distribution ports 8., and. 9-1 and to the-cylinder.adjacentflthe ends thereof. The conduits H and [8 preferably are equipped with flow regulating means l9 and 2e, respectively, which are operable to adjust the periods of reversals of flow through the apparatus in a manner hereinafter explained. The

mounted for reciprocable movement in the cylinder l6 and is connected to a piston rod 22. The latter extends outwardly from the cylinder from an end thereof through a stufiing box 23 that likewise may be of any suitable known construction. The piston rods |2and 22 extend from the manifold and cylinder respectively in spaced parallel relation to each other.

A beam 24 is fixed between the manifold 2 an the cylinder l6 and an upright 25 is fixedly secured to said beam and extends in spaced parallel relation to the piston rods I2 and 22 substantially midway between them. The upright preferably has a guide bar 26 fixedly secured to itsupper end, and ,said guide bar is apertured to slidably. receive the piston rods and thus guide their movement.

Intermediate of their lengths the piston rods l2 and 22 carry guides 21 and 28, respectively, which are preferably substantially. identical in construction. The guides each comprise end pieces fixed to the rod sections and spaced parallel side plates fixed to the end pieces, Preferably a pair of spaced upper and lower rollers 23. are rotatably mounted between the side plates ofeach guide.

A pair of arms 3!] and 3| are pivotally connected to the upright 25 andengage the guides acting piston 2|, by way of the valved conduit As the cylinder is gradually filled, the piston 2| is forced upwardly, thus raising the piston rod 22 and the guide 28. Upward movement of the guide pivots the arm 3| in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thus extendin the

springs

38 and 39.

Such movement continues until the arm 3| becomes aligned with the arm 30 and moves a little beyond the aligned position. When such relative position is reached, the

springs

38 and 39, actin on the arm 30, pivot the latter in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. The arm 30 acts on the guide 21 to raise the uide and thereby raise the piston rod |2 and the pair of pistons I0 and H.

The direction or" flow of fluid from the manifold 2 is thereby reversed, since, in the raised position of the pistons, fluid may be discharged from the manifold through the upper distribution port 9, but not through the lower distribution port 8. The fluid now returns to the manifold 2 through the lower distribution port 8 and passes 21] and 28 respectively. As shown most clearly inFig. 3, the arm 30 is preferably bifurcated, as indicated at 32, to provide portions for embracing the upright 25 and a similar bifurcation on the arm 3|. The outer end of the arm 30 has a central extension 33 that is slidably received between the side plates of the guide 21 and between the rollers 29. The arm 30 also has a pair of

external extensions

34 and 35 that engage the external surfaces of the side plates of the guide. The arm 3| is preferablysubstantially identical in construction to the arm 30 and hence is not described in detail. V

As shown in Figs, 2 and 3, the outer external extensions of the arms 30 and 3| have

studs

36 and 31 respectively fixed thereto. A pair of tension springs 38 and 39 are connected between the studs 36 and 3! preferably on each side of the arms.

Operation The inlet I is connected to a suitable source of cleansing fluid and the distribution ports are connected to access openings of a radiator or other circulating system or the like to be flushed.

. Fluid enters the manifold 2 throu h the inlet [between the pistons H] and II. With the pistons in the lowered position, as illustrated in Fig; 2, fluid discharges from the manifold through the lowe distribution port 8, whence it passes through the system being flushed and returns to the manifold through the upper distribution port 9. After returning to the manifold 2, the fluid leaves through the conduit 4 and passes ,intothe manifold from which it emerges through the strainer 5.

As fluid leaves the manifold 2 through the distribution port 8, a smaller amount of 'fluid enters the actuating cylinder l6, below'the double therefrom into the manifold by way of the conduit 3.

As fluid is discharged from the upper opening 9, a smaller amount thereof flows through the upper valved conduit |8 into the actuating cylinder l6 above the piston 2|. Such fluid acts on the piston to lower it, and thereby lower the piston rod 22 and the guide 28 and pivot the arm 3| in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. When the arm 3| is pivoted past alignment with the arm 30, the

springs

38 and 39 again act on the arm'30, this time to pivot the arm in'a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. Such pivoting of the arm 3|} lowers the guide 27, the piston rod l2, and the pair of pistons m and II. The direction of flow is thus again reversed;

The cycle 0f reversals of direction of flow just described continues as long as desired. The-period of reversals may be varied by adjusting the regulating valves l3 and 2!], which control the volume of fluid permitted to flow through the valved conduits. -It is seen that the greater the flow of fluid into the actuating cylinder, the more frequently the reversals occur. If it is desired to have flow from the manifold in one direction only, the regulatory valves may be closed, thus preventing flow into the actuating cylinder.

Modification In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of fiushing apparatus embodying the features of the present invention in which only a single manifold is employed.

The modified form of apparatus comprises a manifold 49, having an inlet connection M and a pair of discharge openings or distribution ports, not shown, but arranged similarly to the distribution ports 8 and 9 in the form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A strainer or filter 42 is preferably removably secured to the lower end of the manifold.

' A pair of longitudinally spaced

pistons

43 and 44 are slidably' mounted in the manifold for reciprocable movement between lowered and raised positions, the lowered position being illustrated amass:

box '48. The piston rod carries stop means, preferably a pair-of spaced collars 49 and-5e, engageable with the sides of the stuffing box, for limiting-movement of the pistons.

The modified form of the apparatus comprises flow reversing means, designated generally as 51, which is identical to the means shown and described in connection with the embodiment of the invention of'Figs. 1,2 and 3;. hence the means is not. described, in detail in connection with the modifiedform of the invention.

The operation of the modified form of the apparatus is substantially similar to the operation already described, except that fluidreturning to the manifold 49 through theupper distributlon port passes into the lower portion of the manifold through the tubular member 45. Such'fluid, ss;we1las fluid returning-tothe-manifold through the lower distribution port, is drained from the manifold through the strainer 42.

Whi1e I have shown but certain embodiments ofmy invention, it is apparent that the device is susceptible to further modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited by the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

"The invention described herein may be manu factured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a manifold having an inlet, a distribution port, a conduit opening thereinto, and an outlet; a piston slidable in said manifold past said distribution port and the conduit opening between a first position wherein said distribution port and said conduit opening are in fluid communication directly through said manifold with said outlet and are blocked from fluid communication directly through said manifold with said inlet and a second position wherein said port and said conduit opening are in fluid communication directly through said manifold with said inlet and are blocked from fluid communication directly through said manifold with said outlet; said manifold having, also, a second distribution port, a second conduit opening thereinto, and a second outlet all disposed in the portion of said manifold axially opposite, relative to said inlet, to the portion containing their corresponding first mentioned counterparts; a second piston slidable in said manifold past said second port and the opening of said second conduit between a first position wherein said second port and said second conduit opening are in fluid communication directly through said manifold with said inlet and are blocked from fluid communication directly through said manifold with said second outlet and a second position wherein said second port and said second conduit opening are in fluid communication directly through said manifold with said second outlet and are blocked from fluid communication directly through said manifold with said inlet; means connecting said pistons to move together so that each assumes its respective first position substantially simultaneously with the other and each assumes its respective second position simultaneously with the other; an actuating cylinder having an actuating piston slidably disposed therein; said actuating cylinder having said conduits connected thereto, one opening therein-to on either side axially re'lative'tosaid'pistong'meansdn said conduits-for control ling theflow-of fluid therein; means including a yieldable "linkage-connected between said actuating piston and said manifold pistons whereby movementof said actuating piston in opposite directions-produces movement of said manifold pistons between their first and second positions.

2. In a flushing apparatus, a manifold having an inlet; midway of the length thereof and a pair ofdistribution'ports spaced longitudinally from said inlet at each side thereof, a pair of connected pistons having their adjacent faces spaced apart a diotance greater than the distance betweenthe-inlet and either distribution port,: said pistons being slidable in said manifold between positions spanning said inlet and first one and then the other of said distribution ports, a pis-' ton rod secured,- to said pistons and extending beyond said manifold, an actuating cylinder, conduits connected tosaid manifold oppositesaid distribution ports" and to said cylinder adjacent theends thereof, an actuating piston slidable in said cylinder, means for venting fluid'from that sideofsaid-actuating piston opposite the side thereof being supplied by fluid from one of said conduits, a'piston rod secured to said actuating piston andextending in parallel relation to said first named rod, guide means carried by said piston rods, support means carried by said manifold and cylinder, arms pivoted to said support means and slidable in said guide means, and spring means connecting said arms, whereby movement of said actuating piston beyond predetermined points moves said first named pistons to change direction of flow from said manifold.

3. In a flushing apparatus, a manifold having an inlet midway of the length thereof and a pair of distribution ports spaced longitudinally from said inlet at each side thereof, a pair of pistons slidable in said manifold and having their adjacent sides spaced apart sufllcient to span said inlet and either of said distribution ports, tubular means connecting said pistons and being open at the ends outwardly of the pistons, a piston rod secured to said pistons, an actuating cylinder, conduits connected to said manifold opposite said discharge openings and to said actuating cylinder adjacent the ends thereof, an actuating piston slidable in said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said actuating piston, and spring and linkage means operatively connecting said piston rods whereby movement of said last piston beyond predetermined points moves said first named pistons to change direction flow from said manifold, said manifold having a drain a-djacent an end thereof.

4. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having an inlet, an outlet connection, and a pair of distribution ports; a pair of spaced pistons slidable as a unit within said cylinder between a first position in which said pistons place the first of said ports in fluid communication with said inlet and the second of said ports in fluid communication with said outlet connection and a second position in which said pistons place said second port in fluid communication with said inlet and said first port in fluid communication with said outlet connection; and mechanism actuated by fluid supplied from said inlet for periodically automatically shifting said pistons to and from said positions, said mechanism comprising an actuating cylinder and piston, a pair of fluid conduits each having its one end connected to saida'ctuating cylinder one on either side of said actuating piston, said conduits being connected at their other ends each to partake, respectively, of the fluid flow in the same manner as one of said distribution ports, and means connecting said actuating piston with said spaced pistons whereby motion of the former is transmitted to the latter.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said last named means includes a toggle linkage whereby said spaced pistons are shifted suddenly between their limiting positions.

6. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having an inlet, an outlet connection, and a pair of distribution ports; a pair of spaced pistons slidable as a unit within said cylinder between a first position in which said pistons place the first of said ports in fluid communication with said'inlet and the second of said ports in fluid communication with said outlet connection and a second position in which said pistons place said second port in fluid communication with said inlet and said first port in fluid communication with said outlet; and mechanism 8 1 member therein, a pair of fluid conduits conmeeting with said chamber on opposite sides of said member, one conduit being connected-t0 transmit the fluid pressure at one of said ports and the other conduit being connected to transmit the fluid pressure at the other of said ports, and means linking said member to said spaced pistons.

,7. The device of claim 4 Whereinvalves are provided in said fluid conduits.

WILLIAM G. MERRITT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 928,459 Kieselhorst July 20, 1909 1,772,578 Hartford Aug. 12, 1930 2,169,620 Spayd Aug. 15, 1939 2,273,679 Westberg Feb. 17, 1942 2,330,151 Smith Sept. 21, 1943 2,374,437 Kerry Apr. 24, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 32,473 Austria of 1908